KiteTails Cleanup at Animal Kingdom: Disney Removes Wooden Launch Docks

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Disney KiteTails Lion King show

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Posted: Thursday January 30, 2025 12:21pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

The wooden docks built for the short-lived KiteTails show at Disney's Animal Kingdom have now been removed. These structures were originally installed along Discovery River as launch points for the large kites featured in the show. The metal pilings used to support the docks remain, though it's unclear whether these will also be removed or left in place.

Disney KiteTails Dock Removal

The docks used for the KiteTails show pictured in 2021

KiteTails debuted in October 2021 as part of Walt Disney World's 50th Anniversary celebration. The daytime show featured oversized kites of Disney characters from The Lion King and The Jungle Book, towed by jet skis across Discovery River. Despite its creative concept, KiteTails became known for its unpredictable landings, as kites crashed into the seating area at the Discovery River Amphitheater or behind trees. The show was reworked several times before Disney quietly ended it in September 2022.

Disney KiteTails Lion King show

With no signs of a new show coming to Discovery River anytime soon, this appears to be a routine maintenance decision rather than preparation for a future entertainment offering.

Disney KiteTails Dock Removal

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jeanericuser0017 hours ago

Always nice to see a dagger buried in kitefails. A shame they are taking away a prime nesting spot for birds in the area but I guess it could not be helped. Some times I wonder if they should do with this area what they are gonna do with rivers of america. The space is pointless at this point and converting it into an attraction space might give disney enough space for something really interesting.

wdwmagic2 days ago

I'm guessing these were falling apart and had to be removed. They were rather temporary looking, and thrown up quickly, so more than likely not intended for long-term use.

Squishy2 days ago

TTA947 days ago

You would think especially this summer they would want to put something in there even if it’s temporary.

aladdin20077 days ago

It's unfortunate as the park could really benefit from something, why they don't just do a retooled version of Rivers of Light Ill never understand. They have the theater and prior infrastructure in place. I mentioned in another thread about the starlight parade that sometimes they try to be too high tech and it just doesn't work, less is more. And lately too many things have been backfiring on them.

TTA948 days ago

Sure would be nice to have some show there for this summer but I’m pretty sure we would have heard about it by now.

gerarar8 days ago

That entire dock was specifically built for KiteTails. Now just the top square-ish piece remains. From July 2021: https://blogmickey.com/2021/07/construction-begins-for-disney-kitetails-at-disneys-animal-kingdom/

WorldExplorer8 days ago

Was that KiteTails specific? I thought it was meant to look like generic theming for a boat dock and was there before KiteTails.

gerarar8 days ago

Big thread bump! But the old KiteTails infrastructure in the lagoon was recently removed. Majority of the dock/barges was stripped out and theming removed and replaced. Before: After: You can see where the extended dock used to connect with the bare-unthemed parts in the third picture above. Source and more:

ToTBellHopOct 28, 2022

This is the only way:

brb1006Oct 28, 2022

What about King Louie and Baloo taking a nap?

MisterPenguinOct 28, 2022

When will Kitetails be back? It was a family-favorite for weeks and weeks. Can't wait to someday bring my grandkids to see Kitetails and see the same shocked look of horror on them when Simba crashes head first into the stands, just like it was for me!

brb1006Oct 28, 2022

I forgot that Kitatails is closing in a few days.... really tells you how WDW's 50th Anniversary offerings was executed. Here's a live look at WDW's 50th Anniversary Campaign as it's getting closer to it's conclusion. Spongebob Laughing = Iger/Chapek What a complete joke WDW's 50th Anniversary Celebration turned out to be compared to Disneyland's 50th and 60th Anniversaries. Disney's 100th Anniversary ("100 Years of Wonder") starting next year better make up for this.

pdude81Oct 28, 2022

Kitetails was cute and fun. But since it didn't work super well with selling G+ to the crappy side of the "stadium" they killed it. I personally would assume they'd just install some infrastructure on the other side for G+ and work out the kinks.